Wednesday, October 12, 2016

While there are a plenty of talents that I wish that I had, one that I have always especially yearned for is to be artistic.

Over the years I have mentioned my lack of artistic skills and have had friends beg to differ, pointing out various projects or crafts that I have completed. Alas, I correct them, I'm creative. I have the ideas and the imagination and can follow directions, but the actual talent to be able to simply pick up a paintbrush or a colored pencil and bring those ideas to life? Nope. Not going to happen.

Therefore, when I'm introduced to a company that has made it possible for me to produce a work of art more than worthy of being displayed or hung on the wall, I'm interested. Even more, if they make the actual process personal, fun, satisfying, and with a touch of nostalgia, then count me in.

A family-owned small business started to guide photographers and painters in their composition, Crocart has since grown into a website for all of us to create custom paint-by-number canvases that are ready to go right out of the box. Simply upload a photograph, select the size you prefer, and wait for your creation to arrive on your doorstep!

The ability to create my own paint-by-number, a favorite from my youth? Out of my own personal photo? On a ready-to-hang canvas? What more could I ask for?

When it came time to get started on my Crocart creation, it didn't take long for me to realize that the most difficult part would be selecting what photo to use. From vacation scenery to a family portrait to an adorable one of our pets, the options truly are unlimited.

When I finally decided on one of my all-time favorites of my children, I immediately appreciated that each step to ordering is simple and intuitive and that Crocart offers previews of all of my style choices.

Whether you prefer more realistic or a bit more stylistic, one look at the outlines shows the amount of detail that is involved.

At the same time, one click on the green tab in the corner allows users to not only see the outlines on the canvas, but that of the finished, painted product.

Right away I adored the look of the Realistic but there were 162 different paint colors involved. Yikes!

Once I had decided on the gorgeous Simple style, it was only another couple clicks before I had my canvas ordered and its creation underway.

Even better, it was only a few days later that a slim box from Crocart showed up at my door. And, while I of course had an idea of what my canvas would look like, I still felt my jaw drop when I opened the box and pulled out my work of art.

All of the details! Each perfect little line! Not to mention that the corners were secure and well-wrapped and Crocart even includes all of the necessary items for hanging your completed canvas with each order.

As Crocart doesn't offer the option to purchase paint with their canvases, I was fortunate to pull out my craft bin and find a slew of colors that would work with the palette needed for my picture.

In fact, I took the suggested colors that they had listed for me...

...and rearranged them into groups of similar tones (therefore making it easy for me to do one color and then add white or black to lighten/darken it into the next color). Once printed, it was time to paint!

Although I had assumed it would take me days upon days to complete my Crocart piece, I found that once I began, I had a difficult time stopping.

A few strokes turned into "just one more number" as I meticulously painted one section after another and thoroughly enjoyed the calming process of mixing and painting, mixing and painting.

By the time I was brushing on the last few colors, I couldn't wait to step back and see the finished work.

Who would have thought that I would ever paint something this amazing?

While my canvas doesn't perfectly match Crocart's projection, I absolutely love the result and how I was able to personalize it just so. There is no wrong way to paint these beautiful pieces when the lines and colors are there as a suggested guidance. The whole thing is truly up to you!

When it comes to a unique piece of art for your home or to give as a gift, Crocart provides options unlike any other site that I have seen. Where else can you find custom artwork that is going to have so much meaning — both in the image itself as well as in the pride of having painted it yourself?

I adore the idea of giving this as a gift to a couple for their first holiday after getting married and using a wedding photo or to parents to celebrate their new addition by using a baby photo. Graduation, housewarming, birthdays, Mother's or Father's Day... I can't think of a time that a Crocart canvas wouldn't be an incredible, well-received gift!

Available in four different size options that start around $42, you'll want to head over to Crocart.com today to find out more about their products and possibilities (and go ahead and upload some of your own images to see the previews)! You can also connect with this innovative company on Facebook and Instagram.

Other than the canvas that I received from Crocart in order to facilitate my review, I was not compensated or enticed to do this post in any way. This review is solely my honest opinion about this product and this company.

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comments:

Wow, you did an amazing job! It's too bad you can't purchase the paints with the canvas, but it is good that they include a paint chart and you were able to make it work. I'm just awed by how well your picture turned out.